Craitor was elected as an alderman to the Niagara Falls City Council in 1990, and served in that capacity until 2003, often quarrelling with Mayor Wayne Thomson.

Prior to the 2003 provincial election, Craitor defeated former party candidate Selena Volpatti for the Liberal nomination in Niagara Falls.

He was successful in the general election, defeating Progressive Conservative incumbent Bart Maves by about 3,500 votes.

As an MPP, Craitor earned a reputation as a maverick, sparring with his own government on issues such as hospital closures in his riding.

[3] On September 24, 2013, Craitor announced his resignation as MPP citing mental exhaustion and saying he wanted to focus on his health and family.

Premier Kathleen Wynne asked him to resign after reviewing an independent, third-party report about the incident.